Developed by Atlus and published by LJN Toys in 1989, Friday the 13th is an infamous NES action-survival game that tasks you with keeping six camp counselors alive at Camp Crystal Lake. Instead of straightforward platforming, you are dropped into an open, side-scrolling map of the camp, fending off zombies, wolves, and crows while searching for better weapons like throwing knives and the machete. The game is highly tense: at any moment, an alarm can sound indicating Jason Voorhees is attacking another counselor or the children in the lake, forcing you to rush to their rescue.
How to play
Your goal is to survive three days and three nights by defeating Jason three times before all counselors or children are killed. Use the arrow keys to move across the map and duck, Z to jump, and X to attack. When you enter a cabin, the perspective shifts to a first-person 3D view where you must navigate the room; use the arrow keys to move and turn, and be prepared to dodge and strike if Jason attacks you inside.
Tips for survival
Lighting the fireplaces inside the large cabins is crucial for obtaining better weapons, as the starting rocks are nearly useless. If an alarm sounds, check your map (press Enter) to see where Jason is attacking and switch to a closer counselor if needed. When fighting Jason, try to stay mobile, jumping to dodge his machete swings, and prioritize keeping your strongest characters (like Mark and Crissy) alive as long as possible.
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